Major Infrastructure Repairs Begin in South Sudan State

A major infrastructure project was launched in Unity state this week, with phase one focused on repairing roads that have been washed away by two years of heavy rains, officials said.

The first phase of the project will repair 45 kilometers of roadways that connect the state capital, Bentiu, to surrounding towns and villages.

Large parts of the roads were washed away by floods last year, and the damage was worsened by heavy rains this rainy season, state Physical Planning Director Turuk Riek said.

The first stage of repairs -- which involves filling in potholes and leveling the roads -- is expected to be completed within a week, said Simon Diu Liat, an engineer with Nyakeak Son’s Construction, which is in charge of phase one of the project.

Physical Planning Director Riek said the state government plans to do other infrastructure repairs starting in January when the roads rehabilitation project is expected to be completed.

“The drainage system will be done, and where there is need for a bridge, we will put a bridge. Where we need dykes, we will also put dykes so that next time, we don’t experience any flooding issues,” Riek said.

The road repairs will be paid for by oil revenue, Riek said, although he declined to say how much the project would cost.